Login Instantly with Social Media

Reasons to Live in Austin, Texas

With its high quality and low cost of living, Austin is among the most desirable cities in the nation. Those who visit immediately fall in love with Austin's lush environment, laid-back vibe, and love for live music. Other cities can't compete with Austin's track record - Austin ranks at the top of countless "best of" lists, whether we're talking most bullet-proof economy or tastiest barbecue in the nation. There truly is something for everyone here, making it easy to find reasons to fall in love with Austin! Are you ready to make the move? Get in touch with one of our relocation specialists today!

For the Outdoor Aficionado

Austin has the best hike and bike trails right in the heart of the city. The Greenbelt and Lady Bird Lake run through the center of town and provide miles upon miles of trails. Zilker Park and Barton Springs are within walking distance of Lady Bird Lake. Locals stay cool all year round and turn hot Austin summers into outdoor oasis at the 30+ unique swimming holes in and around town. A few favorite spots include Hamilton Pool, Deep Eddy and Barton Springs. Most of the springs are connected by the Colorado River which is best known for its use as a favorite recreational pastime for college students – tubing. Tubing in 60 degree water is another one of Austin's blessings in disguise to enjoy the hot summer. Among the plethora of outdoor activities, there's also the Austin Zoo and Schlitterbahn, both great for family outings.

For the Foodie

Austin has new restaurant and food trucks popping up regularly, as well as many well-established and well-loved local eateries. Food-centric events such as Austin's Restaurant Week enables residents to experience local food at a discounted group cost. Sandra Bullock's highly reviewed restaurant, Bess Bistro, and floral plus bakery shop, Walton's Fancy and Staple, turn nights dining out into celebrity sitings. Just down the street from Bess Bistro sits the world headquarters for Whole Foods. Located in Downtown Austin off 5th and Lamar, Whole Foods offers innumerable cooking and wine pairing classes taught by famous chefs. Austin craft breweries and microbreweries like Black Star Co-op and 512 Brewing Company have regularly scheduled tasting parties and membership recruiting events for the beer lover in you.

For the Film Buff

Often called the 3rd Coast to the movie industry, Austin plays host to many famous film studios including Robert Rodriguez' Troublemaker Studios and Richard Linklater's Detour Film Productions. Film incentives and Austin's creative community help encourage filmmakers to make movies in Austin bringing along with them film production jobs which help keep the Austin film industry thriving. Austin is home to Fantastic Fest, Austin Film Festival, Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (aGLFF), and South By Southwest Film Festival (SXSW).

For Music Lovers

For music lovers, there's South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, Fun Fun Fun Fest and a whole lot of other good home-grown stuff like Bob Schnieder and Willie Nelson. Music festivals and live music venues rejuvenate Austin's nightlife with night-to-night music events to entice the energetic party-goers. Check out our guide to Austin festivals for more info.

For Young Professionals

For young professionals, Austin is ranked the best city to start careers. The profitable business and charitable venture capitalist environments help startups nurture and grow, aggressively encouraging entrepreneurs to relocate here.

For Sports Fans

Sports fans are right at home in Austin, Texas. Austin is home to the 2005 College Football National Champions, the Texas Longhorns. Along with an all-star team, comes all-out fans. UT Longhorn fans are a sight to see on home game days. A 10-block radius around the stadium is designated just for tailgating. Austinites tailgate for football, baseball, practically at any sport or game with the word "ball" in it you'll see Texas sports fans grilling and drinking outside of the stadium. Before leaving Austin, be sure to check out a home game!

For the Explorer in You

Austin neighborhoods also play an integral role to its popularity among visitors. A favorite neighborhood for vistors to Austin isSouth Congress, the perfect spot for shopping, dining and people watching in Austin. On "First Thursdays" (every first Thursday of the month), SoCo's quirky shops stay open late and serve beverages to their perusing customers while local bands play live music in the streets. Every weekend, SoCo street vendors sell handmade crafts and homemade treats to passersby. SoCo's "Keep Austin Weird" appeal makes it a great destination spot for any newcomer to Austin.

Other famous Austin attractions include traveling to areas outside of Austin city limits. They're well worth your time, so make sure to set aside some time to see the sights in as well as around Austin. Austin has the whole package: along with the many attractions listed above, Austin also has a recession-proof economy, steady job market and low cost of living. Year after year Austin continues to uphold its reputation as a leading contender on many "best of US" lists, listing more reasons to live in Austin. Take a look at all of Austin's recognitions as it takes top placement on most "best of" lists and quickly becomes a Best Cities list veteran.